Suitable Replacement

Cody frowned sadly when he realized just how much his leaving was truly affecting the rich boy.

Every summer since Cody was eight, he had worked in the Dibiase household as Ted Jr.'s personal servant. While the road was rocky he eventually became the blonde's best and only friend but now he was leaving.

He couldn't help it though; Dusty wanted the young man to go out to California and stay with his brother for the summer. He personally didn't mind it seeing as how he loved Dustin with his all but the outwardly snobby rich boy was despondent. He hadn't talked to Cody since he found out about the trip some odd weeks ago. He'd only look at Cody longingly before leaving the room completely. It amazed Cody that the blonde was nineteen and still acted like a kid (or his brother Brett who was five years his junior). Not that it wasn't cute, just unbelievable.

Waving his final goodbye, he opened his arms for the junior and he smiled when the teen immediately ran into him. "I know its only for the summer but I'm gonna miss you Teddy."

Ted didn't answer, simply hugging the younger harder before ruefully allowing him to enter the car that would take him to the airport and eventually the other side of the country.

:::

"Son, get down here!"

Ted Jr. rolled his eyes and pulled his earphones from his ears before climbing off his bed to rush downstairs.

Every since a week ago when Cody left he had been confined to his room. He didn't even go down to greet his meals; he'd pay Brett a dollar to retrieve food for him. Of course the sweet little face didn't mind just getting it for free. He loved his big brother.

Speaking of the boy, he just so happen to see the innocent one being persuaded into some mischievous action by his best (if not secretly boy) friend Michael. Daddy Dibiase hadn't known of McGullicutty's presence and Brett liked it that way-not that Ted blamed him. He broke up the conversation before rushing to meet his father.

Slowly he descended the stairs and he paused as he recognized a new face; a somewhat scruffy face matched with a guru-esque appearal- long brown mane and all- and dark shades.

Distastfully he asked, "Who's he?"

"Theodore Marvin Dibiase Jr!" He dad all but yelled warningly. "You had better watch your tongue." He glared from behind thin spectacles. "Now," he had calmed, "Come and meet your helper for the summer." he patted the young man's back and smiled cheerfully.

The stranger smirked as well with a wolfish grin before folding his arms across his broad muscular chest. "It's fine really. I think we can take it from here."

Ted Sr. smiled back before exiting the room to go do whatever business he had- leaving Ted Jr. and the stranger.

Skeptically, the fortunate son turned to his servant. He noticed the man sizing him up. "Can I help you?"

The man lifted his shades to reveal big brown eyes. "Now shouldn't I be asking you that, Theodore Marvin Dibiase Jr.?" As he laughed, so did his eyes.

Ted blushed a little at the use of his whole name but just as quick as it came it left and he turned his gaze to the wall. "Don't call me by my full name or you'll be out of a job."

Again the servant laughed. "Demanding is cute for you but hey, I'll be fair; I'm John Morrison." The man now dubbed Morrison outstretched his hand.

Ted simply stared at it before locking eyes with John. "You're 'the help'. I don't shake you're hand."

"And you seemed so close to the previous 'help'. Wonder why you took to that younger boy…"

"You're no Cody," Ted spat.

"Ah Cody Garrett Rhodes, what was he, you're little lap dog?"

Ted gasped and went to slap the older man only for him to catch his wrist and back him into the wall Ted previously gazed upon. "Get your hands off of me!" Ted sneered in anger, embarrassed he had been caught. "I can fi-"

"But you won't, will you?" John whispered as he drew himself closer to the country boy. With lack of answer he laughed. "You know, I think maybe you're only acting so nasty because you think I'm trying to take his place."

"As if you could," he cringed at the thought. He tried to shove the wall of mass of muscle but John stayed firm. "Move!"

Morrison continued talking. "Didn't say I was trying to but what on earth could make you get so close to that sixteen year old? What can a kid like that really do for you?" His hands began to move on their own; one against the wall above the young male's head and the other falling to his slim waist. "How well did he really serve you?"

Again Ted gasped and turned two shades redder as he caught on to the innuendo. "No, he didn't-" He could feel Morrison's deep eyes boring through him and he felt his heart race. "He's my best friend."

John eyed him momentarily before leaning away. "I figured that little boy wasn't doing a good job, so unexperienced but don't worry. Consider me what Virgil is to your father; I'm not quite your wife but I'm gonna take good care of you. I am after all your personal servant."

John flipped down his shades smoothly to stroll off and leave the disturbed youth; only turning once more to blow a kiss to his master.

Once the man was out of the vicinity, Ted slid to the floor and held his chest, slowing the heartbeat that accompanied the flushed face. This Cody-less summer was sure shaping up to be stressful...

Most of these are first attempts so there's Jomo and Teddy! I loved their short bout they had some time ago.